W&J adding women’s wrestling, men’s volleyball
Washington & Jefferson College announced Wednesday the addition of women’s wrestling and men’s volleyball to its lineup of NCAA Division III athletic programs.
Both teams are expected to begin their varsity seasons during the 2026-27 academic year.
“Washington & Jefferson College has a proud athletic tradition and represents one of the most successful athletic programs in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference. We are excited to bring two new sports online that, I am certain, will match in quality and competitiveness all our existing programs,” president Dr. Elizabeth MacLeod Walls said in a release.
W&J hopes to play a leading role in forming a Division III women’s wrestling conference within the region, however, it will initially compete as an independent.
“W&J has sponsored varsity athletics since 1890, and the introduction of women’s wrestling and men’s volleyball continues our commitment to provide a balance of robust, comprehensive learning experiences and competitive athletic teams,” said athletic director Scott McGuinness.
In February, the NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics voted to recommend Divisions I, II and III sponsor legislation to add a national collegiate women’s wrestling championship. Each division is expected to vote on the proposals during the 2025 NCAA Convention, and if adopted on that timeline, the first women’s wrestling championship will be held in the winter of 2026.
When the two sports are added, W&J will have 28 intercollegiate athletic programs (14 men and 14 women).
Coaching staff searches will begin immediately with roster recruitment starting when the new coaches are hired. Recruitment will continue during the 2025-26 academic year with the possibility of competition at the club level.